Singer/songwriter Yvonne Han, the brainchild of Leeds-based experimental indie-rock project THE SOUND OF MODESTY unveiled her second single ‘Stalemate’, released last Friday (5th June).
Showcasing a simplistic yet haunting melody and writhing cymbal screeches that slink into the track, ‘Stalemate’ tells the story of a mother and son ravaged by war, as they spend their final night together stuck in silence.
After being in an alt-indie band, Once A Week Won’t Kill You featuring on drums, Londoner Yvonne started creating as ‘The Sound of Modesty’ in 2018, developing her own exclusive songwriting style, influenced strongly by not only experimental female artists like Mitski and Bjork, but also electronic pop artists like Egoist and T.a.T.u, whilst crossing over with softer pop such as Sleeping At Last and Regina Spektor.
Yvonne went on to independently release her debut EP; Eye, The Cauldron of Morning (2018) which feature her previous soul-stirring single, ’Metamorphosize’, released under Yamcog. Yvonne currently studies songwriting at Leeds College of Music and is currently finishing off her debut album alongside her band for release in 2020.
Fueled by late nights in basement studios and frequent runs to the local café for coffee, PYRAMID TROPIC is a study in contrasts. The group’s music is percussive, synth-based dance music. One member is known as the singer/songwriter of a Toronto-based indie pop band while the other is recognized for designing music production software used by programmers working with Bjork, Coldplay and Depeche Mode. The chemistry was instant and the creative rush resulted in a flood of tracks being completed in their respective studios.
The initial reaction to their music was positive with The Wild Honey Pie describing first single, ‘My Destroyer,’ as a “dirty synth pop gem”. Sensing that this was a completely new musical direction for them, the duo has performed mainly in Europe at the legendary electronic club Katine am Berghain in Berlin, the Reeperbahn Festival in Hamburg, the Great Escape Festival in Brighton, the Water Rats Theatre in London and for the Toronto International Film Festival.
Pyramid Tropic’s new single, ‘Last Forever’, carries on the 80s theme, that immediately puts you in the mind of Depeche Mode and perhaps New Order. Introduced by a gritty electronic drive, ‘Last Forever’ leads up to a percussive, synth-based dance piece.
This is ‘pop – goodness’ right here…check out ‘Last Forever’ below. Be sure to look out for a series of singles, EPs and remixes from these guys throughout this year.
STEELE ‘s latest dark pop number ‘Looking For You’, seamlessly fuses elements of post-rock and trip-hop with electro pop. Likened to Imogen Heap and Bjork but with her own recognisable stamp, the Swedish alt-songbird is raising eyebrows around the globe.
She was featured in Rolling Stone – three times – and also appeared at Elle’s 2017 fashion show, which put her at the brink of something huge but tragedy struck when she was struck down with meningitis, leaving her with epilepsy and a complete lifestyle change. This has merely forged her resolve further to succeed within the music industry and to date, STEELE‘s songs have collectively reached over five million plays on streaming services.
‘Looking For You’ is the follow-up to her stunning ballad ‘Temporary Love’, both of which appear on her soon to be released debut album ‘Paroxysm’ on 13th.
AMANI made quite an entry on NEW LEASE MUSIC. Her debut EP Perpendicular sits pretty at number one on NEW LEASE MUSIC’s Top Ten Albums of 2017list. Before that, the six-track set was Song of the Month in December. I think this quirky diva deserve a place on the interview hot seat…
NLM: First of all, thank you for agreeing to do an interview with NEW LEASE MUSIC. You released your debut EP Perpendicular back in November. What’s the public’s reception beyond this blog?
A: I have been invited to tour in china for a month with my band off the back of the EP release & there are talks to support the Wild Beasts at Hammersmith Apollo on the 17th of Feb 2018. The Vice Creators project were a big fan of the song and video for Feathers Falling and premiered the video online, Line of Best fit and Kaltblut Magazine also were keen supporters like yourself at NEW LEASE MUSIC. Point Blank Recordings the label I released the EP through, together we held a sold out EP launch party at the Rye Wax in Peckham which Smirnoff kindly sponsored. The Launch party was a great way to see the fans reactions to the EP, the night was full of love.
NLM: What’s your proudest track on the EP and why?
A: Man In A Mini Dress – because it’s the most outlandish track on the EP. It’s a very different vibe to the rest of the tracks & takes the listener on a very alternative trippy diversion.
NLM: How would you describe your sound to potential fans?
A: Electronic, cinematic, industrial soundscape, raw honest emotive lyrics.
NLM: What’s your inspiration behind your unique sound?
A: I’m heavily influenced by electronic music, and trippy soundscapes. I was fortunate enough to experience a lot of electronic bass heavy raves in my teens and fell in love with everything that was on offer there!
A: lot of my emotion for my songs tends to come from a very raw sincer place, i’m very honest with my lyrics, they come from the core and where my head is at, at the time. It’s also a personality thing, and an environment thing – i’ve always been a bit of a strange child as well as growing up experiencing quite a lot of heavy weight truma my vibes could be seen as unique and a bit far from the norm.
NLM: If you had to collaborate with ONE mainstream artist who would it be?
A: Bjork, loooove Bjork !
NLM: If you had three wishes to change the music industry today, what would they be?
A: More performance art nudity, free venue hire for artists/musicians to put on more shows independently, fewer restrictions on noise pollution, that could be in festivals, clubs and your own home. Levels pls!
NLM: So what are your plans for 2018?
A: I’m going to release another EP Late March before I drop an album & put on events in London / UK in random quirky venues, working with interactive light design technicians, dj’s and other musicians to set up nights for peeps to come and enjoy. I’m also keen to set up my own record store this year!
NLM: How can potential fans make contact with you?
Described as MACY GRAY, BJORK and ERYKAH BADU rolled into one, urban goddess OLAH BLISS dropped her debut EP 13:20. The five-track production displays an atmospherically sweet take on soul and R&B, matched with the Londoner’s delicately soulful vocals. Definitely worth a listen! Give her a chance – check it out!
Singer/songwriter Yvonne Han, the brainchild of Leeds-based experimental indie-rock project THE SOUND OF MODESTY unveiled her second single ‘Stalemate’, released last Friday (5th June).
New Lease Music 